Northrop Grumman’s [NOC] follow-on testing of its Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) on its far field range is scheduled to wrap up this month, according to a company program director.
Carl Herbermann, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems AMDR technology demonstration program director, said recently in an email the testing confirmed Northrop Grumman’s AMDR technologies are “low risk” and ready for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase. Herbermann also said the company completed initial range testing before its Aug. 9 AMDR system preliminary design review (PDR).
The AMDR previously completed near field range testing, which validated the AMDR’s digital beam forming performance, tuning techniques and reliable system operation, the company said in a statement. Subsequent far field range testing at the company’s Baltimore test site will characterize the radar’s full multi-mission performance envelope and modular, scalable open architecture.
AMDR is a next-generation radar system planned for the Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and a range of future surface combatants. Northrop Grumman is completing a $120 million, two-year contract and demonstrate mature technologies required for the AMDR S-band radar and radar suite controller.
Pat Antkowiak, Northrop Grumman vice president and general manager of advanced concepts and technology, told reporters during a briefing recently AMDR will have a more open architecture, in addition to its digital beam form.
AMDR is to replace the Lockheed Martin– [LMT] built AN/SPY-1 on DDG-51s. The Navy is seeking congressional approval to buy up to 10 Flight IIA DDG-51s under a multi-year contract, but plans to shift to the Flight III version around the seventh vessel in 2016 if AMDR is ready.
Lockheed Martin, Raytheon [RTN] and Northrop Grumman confirmed they submitted proposals to the Navy. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) spokeswoman Stephanie Collins said in an email, while NAVSEA doesn’t provide information on the number, or nature, of bids received, it did receive proposals for AMDR on July 31.